Vagaro vs. Fresha

Deciding between Vagaro and Fresha for your business management and payment solution requires a close look at what each platform provides. Both are established options in the beauty and wellness industry, but they differ in key areas. This article will compare their features and pricing structures to help you determine which service is the right choice for your business.

A quick overview on Vagaro and Fresha

What is Vagaro?

Vagaro is a business management software for the beauty, wellness, and fitness sectors, offering tools for scheduling, payments, marketing, and inventory. The platform is used by solo practitioners and larger enterprises, with features tailored to different business sizes and types within these industries.

Its platform includes a consumer-facing marketplace, options for booking mobile services and live-streamed classes, and a visual gallery for styles. Pricing is structured per “bookable calendar,” allowing businesses to customize their subscription with add-on features like a branded app, payroll, and marketing tools.

What is Fresha?

Fresha is a platform for the beauty and wellness industry that provides business management software and a consumer-facing marketplace. For businesses, it offers an all-in-one system that includes appointment scheduling, point-of-sale, client management, and marketing tools.

Its pricing model is subscription-free for single users, with monthly fees charged per team member for larger businesses. A one-time commission applies only to new clients acquired through the Fresha marketplace, while bookings from a business's own channels do not incur a fee.

Features of Vagaro and Fresha

Vagaro features

Vagaro provides a suite of features designed to streamline the booking process for consumers, including:

• Flexible booking options that allow customers to schedule appointments at a business, request mobile services, or join virtual classes via live stream.
• A consumer marketplace featuring Daily Deals, which offers promotions and discounts on a variety of services.
• Advanced search filters to narrow down providers by specific amenities, languages spoken, and accepted payment methods.
• A comprehensive platform for booking and managing appointments across the beauty, wellness, and fitness industries.

Fresha features

Fresha provides a platform with several features designed for consumers booking beauty and wellness services:

• An online marketplace and mobile app to discover, book, and manage appointments at any time, with options to amend or cancel as needed.
• A seamless payment system that allows for in-app payments, eliminating the need for cash or physical cards at the appointment.
• Automated appointment reminders sent via SMS and app notifications to help clients keep track of their schedules.
• A business model that offers its core booking software for free to many businesses, which helps build a large and diverse marketplace for consumers to browse.

Comparing Vagaro, Fresha and Portrait Care's features

Why choose one over the other?

• For a wider range of services. You might prefer Vagaro if you want a single platform for all your self-care needs, as it covers fitness, wellness, and beauty services. Unlike Fresha, which focuses primarily on beauty and wellness, Vagaro allows you to book everything from a haircut to a personal training session or yoga class.

• For more flexible appointment types. Vagaro offers more distinct booking options, including in-person appointments, mobile services where the provider comes to you, and live-streamed classes. This versatility is ideal for consumers who want the convenience of at-home services or virtual sessions, a feature that is more prominently displayed than on Fresha.

• For finding discounts easily. If you're a bargain hunter, Vagaro's platform prominently features a Daily Deals section, making it easy to find promotions and discounts. While Fresha businesses can offer deals, Vagaro integrates this discovery process directly into the consumer experience.

Why you would use Fresha over Vagaro

• For booking services internationally. For frequent travelers, Fresha is the better choice due to its extensive presence in over 120 countries. This global reach means you can use a familiar app to find and book services in many more locations worldwide compared to Vagaro's more limited international footprint.

• For a larger selection of independent providers. Fresha's subscription-free model for solo professionals can attract a wider variety of small businesses and independent stylists who might not opt for Vagaro's monthly fee. This often translates to a more diverse and hyperlocal selection of services for consumers to discover.

• For a simple, cashless experience. Fresha emphasizes a streamlined experience, allowing you to instantly book and pay within the app without needing cash or cards at the venue. The platform's core focus on being a free and easy-to-use booking tool results in a straightforward user interface for finding and managing appointments.

Considering Portrait Care vs Vagaro and Fresha

• For comprehensive medical wellness management. You would choose Portrait Care over Vagaro and Fresha if you operate a medical wellness clinic that requires more than just a booking tool. Portrait Care is an all-in-one platform built specifically for med spas and similar practices, offering a robust, integrated Electronic Health Record (EHR) system—a feature not found in the other platforms. This specialized focus means you also get essential services like medical oversight and compliance support, with core EHR functionality available for free to get you started.

What are the customers saying?

Vagaro reviews

User feedback for Vagaro often centers on its business management tools, including scheduling and customer support. Some reviews also mention aspects like payment processing and software speed. Check out more Vagaro reviews here.

Fresha reviews

User reviews for Fresha often discuss experiences with the platform's customer service and the booking process. Some users have reported issues such as booking errors, difficulties with cancellations, and concerns regarding payment security with third-party businesses on the platform. Check out more Fresha reviews here.

Portrait Care reviews

Our clients often praise our all-in-one platform for empowering them with the tools to achieve financial independence and simplify their operations. We provide a robust electronic health record (EHR) platform as a freemium service—the core functionality is free, with optional premium add-ons for enhanced features and integrations.

Some advanced add-ons are included at no extra cost for users in higher membership tiers, and unlike other software in the space, it's also free to get started. Want to learn more? Check us out here.

Vagaro, Fresha, or Portrait Care: Which is the best platform for you?

Ultimately, the best platform depends on your specific business needs. While Vagaro and Fresha offer strong booking and management tools for a wide range of beauty and wellness professionals, we recommend Portrait Care for medical wellness clinics that require a more robust, specialized solution. Its integrated EHR, compliance support, and all-in-one platform are specifically designed to help medical practices thrive and maintain their independence, making it an excellent choice for ambitious providers.